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The David Jaanz School of Singing has a reputation for producing stars, with a massive list of students who have obtained global success in the music industry since the school opened three decades ago. I sat down with David to discuss why he started the school, the reasons behind it’s huge success, and his teaching philosophy. After some brief introductions…

The Australia Times (TAT): So David, did you work in the industry before opening your own singing school?

David Jaanz (DJ): Yes, I sung in my band. We represented Australia in the World Yamaha Competition in 1989- and we won. We beat 22 000 bands from around the world, and I was signed to Sony.

TAT: When did you open the school?

DJ: Thirty years ago.

TAT:And you have a couple of schools?

DJ: We are in Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland. We probably have around 400 students nationally. Singing students vary from beginners to advanced to professionals.

TAT:And what was the vision for when you started, what did you want to create?

DJ: I found that a lot of the coaching I received was very technique based, but lacked a bit of heart, and lacked a bit of soul, and lacked a bit of that X factor kind of coaching.

I just wanted to bring emotion back to singing. I wanted to bring authenticity back to singing. I wanted to bring real storytelling back to singing. That is what inspired me. It’s been an incredible journey- star after star after star for over three decades.

TAT: Has that vision been realised?

DJ: Yes, twenty five years ago I was teaching people like Peter Andre, Merril Bainbridge, Madison Avenue, people with top tens in the US, I’ve also taught people in musicals- The King and I, I’ve got students doing Wicked in Japan, and some of the big musicals around the world.

I veered more into contemporary, so from the ‘recording artist’ point of view- Delta Goodrem, the winner of The X Factor– Isaiah, the winner of The Voice– Harrison Craig, the winner of Australia’s Got Talent– Bonnie Anderson, and the runners up of a lot of these different shows.

We’ve had lots and lots of success, with incredible voices like Kaity Dunstan who is in the US and touring with some of the major acts. So we’ve been really blessed to be able to bring forth this new generation of singer that’s got a chance on International markets, not just here.

These are cutting edge singers that bring something fresh. We are also very big into uniqueness and songwriting, really building brands. Emotion Centred Singing is mining for uniqueness and greatness in an individual.

TAT: Do you teach all the students yourself?

DJ: No, I carefully select my coaches and train them in the approach- Emotion Centred Singing. So it’s really hard to become a coach here. It’s not about the money, it’s about brilliant singers- and you’ve got to coach them well. It’s about looking after a singers voice- technique, and that balance between technique and the emotion style.

TAT: Does singing at David Jaanz require an audition?

DJ: Yes, we have an audition process. We’ve got to feel like you’ve got something.

TAT: What are some of the recent success stories to come from training at the school?

DJ: I think the biggest one is Delta Goodrem- I worked with her on her album Innocent Eyes which sold 1.2 million copies. Probably the other biggest one is Isaiah right now who is representing us in Eurovision. He’s all over the media, he’s had 50 million views. Just absolutely incredible.

TAT: How do classes run? Do you do group lessons and private lessons?

DJ: We’ve got a very unique approach and I think we need to emphasise that. There’s a certain way we do things, and it brings out champions.

We are very big on personal development, so our motto is- ‘creating the stars of tomorrow’. We teach people life skills, confidence and self-belief in being able to get up in front of audiences. I imagine it would help people that wanted to be business leaders or to get confidence.

Emotion Centred Singing is a lot of inner healing. You have to heal some of the damage of the world. We live in a negative world. We live in a world that conforms and we’re always comparing ourselves to everybody else- and that’s the problem. We need to run our own race.

TAT:It sounds like you have a focus on healing…

DJ: Most coaches just do scales. That’s skimming. That’s like having a cake and just skimming the icing- but you’ve got to go into it. You’ve got to take a bite. A lot of what we do is gospel- it’s about discovering the ‘inner singer’. It’s going deep, so a lot of it is incredible inner healing.

Aries

This isn't a good time to keep your emotions bottled up inside of you. Whether you're feeling good, bad or somewhere in between, getting your feelings out into the open will only benefit you. The females in your life are particularly comforting and trustworthy right now, so seek out your best girlfriend or a sister, mom or aunt and tell them what's going through your mind. Although the ultimate decision is yours to make, getting other people's opinions won't affect you adversely. If making up your mind about something important is too difficult right now, use your best stall tactic to extend the deadline.

Taurus

A lot can be gained from you going out on a limb. Although you normally like to hang back and observe situations from afar, this is one time where your bold statements and actions can actually work to your advantage. Single Taureans may finally catch the eye of that special someone you've been admiring from afar, especially if you aren't afraid to do something wacky or dramatic on the spur of the moment. Acting spontaneously benefits all Bulls right now, so don't be afraid to really go for it. Once you get up the nerve to say exactly what's on your mind, you will be rewarded appropriately.

Gemini

If your budget is tight, you're just going to have to do without some of the things you want. Pinching pennies isn't your favorite activity, but it's better to cut back now than to pay the hefty price of being in the red later. Once you actually prioritize your wants and your needs, it might not be so difficult to make the right choice after all, Gemini. If you're forced to choose between spending money on food or buying that cute little pair of designer shoes, you know which one you should pick. Use your head where dollars and cents are concerned and you should have a little money tucked away in no time.

Cancer

This is a good time to get rid of the old and bring in the new. If the bulk of material items you have is weighing you down, it's definitely time to clear away the clutter. Quit making apologies for the state your house is in and actually do something about it. You may be hanging onto some things for emotional reasons, but you'll be surprised how much better you feel once they're gone. You don't have to get rid of everything, but the more you throw out, the more room you'll have for new things. Of course, some things can't be replaced, so don't feel bad for keeping those items that you could never put a price on.

Leo

No matter what you're able to accomplish -- and there will inevitably be some pretty great things -- you never let it go to your head. You take pride in what you do and the success you're able to obtain, but you don't let yourself get too cocky about your accomplishments right now. When other people give you well-deserved praise or a pat on the back, just smile and say thank you. All of this positive attention gives you a wonderful sense of self-confidence, but it never directly affects your ego. Be sure to jump at the chance to return the compliments whenever your friends or family do something that's worthy of your admiration.

Virgo

There's a lot going on, and you're right in the middle of all of it. You love to be the organizer of the day's events, which is why you've probably signed up to host meetings, chair events and plan any number of social or business-related functions. Spending time with people is what you love to do right now, so if you aren't in a busy, populated environment right now, you probably aren't having a very good time. Keep in mind that you can make a party out of just about anything. You don't have to have a fancy house or expensive furnishings to throw a great get-together -- the guests are the most important element!

Libra

When nothing goes according to plan, you have to learn to adapt. If you miss a meeting, reschedule it for another time. If you are late to a class, ask to borrow someone else's notes to make up for the parts that you may have missed. Although your busy schedule might cause some challenges for you, you are quick to come up with solutions right now. If you have an important project that needs to be completed, try to shut out all distractions before beginning. Unplug the phone, turn off the TV or stereo and really concentrate on what you're supposed to be doing.

Scorpio

You have a knack for knowing what other people want (maybe before they even know themselves), and you love holding the power and getting to decide whether or not you're going to give it to them. Scorpio is a master of intuition at the moment, and you use it wisely to your advantage in every situation. Right now, you have the ability to know what someone else is thinking by staring them straight in the eye, an act that will most likely leave them powerless to move under your gaze. Some might call you manipulative, but you'll never admit to it.

Sagittarius

Don't let yourself get backed into a corner. The worst way to spend your time is doing something that you don't really want to do. You have a habit of saying yes to make the people in your life happy, but this is a good time to start saying no. If you have a lot on your plate right now, you need to step back and take a look at what's truly important. Quit volunteering for things that aren't dear to your heart and above all, stop wasting your time on people who want to question your every step. Put yourself and your own needs first and see how much more valuable every minute seems.

Capricorn

When the going gets tough, your first instinct is to run, but you're much better off planting your feet firmly and dealing with whatever happens right now rather than waiting for it to catch up to you later. Besides, when you stop and take a minute to look at the situation, it might not be as bad as you have imagined it to be. The Stars urge you to stop avoiding the people and situations that make you uncomfortable, Capricorn, and really make an effort to resolve some of your unfinished business. Start with the biggest issue and don't quit until you have reached a solution that you -- and everyone else who is involved -- can live with.

Aquarius

Try not to overreact to surprising news, Aquarius. You need to be the one to keep a level head, even in the face of danger or an emergency, so try your best to remain calm, at least on the outside. If there are a lot of people depending on you for support and guidance, try not to let them down. You can do this, but you're going to have to go about it in as much of a rational, unemotional manner as possible. You can take a break later, when there isn't anyone else around, but for now, hold your head high and do whatever needs to be done.

Pisces

Your creativity is at its peak level right now, so don't let any of your artistic energy go to waste. Make a special meal for your family or fashion a unique piece of artwork for your best friend or lover. Your hands have magic in them right now, and everything they touch seems to come out perfectly. If you don't have any ideas about where to start or what to do, look for inspiration in art, music or nature. It won't take much to get you going once you're in the mood to do something artistic, Pisces, and then you won't want to stop until you've created your very own masterpiece.